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Population Genetic Studies In Relation to the Patterns of Disease 
on the Islands 
A wide search for heredofamilial diseases and congenital abnormalities was 
carried out and genealogies collected on most of the Island families. These 
data, taken together with laboratory data on pleomorphlsms In erythrocyte 
surface antigens and red cell enzymes and serum proteins, the further genetic 
data on finger and palm prints, anthropometric measurements and color blindness, 
and from the medical survey for such genetic traits as albinism and pigmented 
rings around the optic disc, will all be used In studying the genetic structure 
of the populations from the different Islands In relation to gene drift, and 
with respect to possible relationships, as Indicated by their genetic 
similarities and dissimilarities. These data will also be used to search for 
linkage between genetic constitution to the occurence of various diseases or 
morphological traits. 
I. Blood Group Genetic Factors and Hemoglobinopathies 
Clotted red cells are being analyzed for blood groups ABO, MNS, Rh, Kell, 
Duffy, Diego, Wright, and Lewis, by Dr. Malcolm Simons, at the W.H.O. 
headquarters In Singapore, by Dr. Kenneth Brown and Mr. W.C. Leyshon at the 
National Institute of Dental Research, and by Dr. Robert Kirk, at the Australian 
National University, Department of Human Genetics. In addition, hemoglobin 
electrophoresis In search for hemoglobin J Tongarlkl, as well as other 
hemoglobin variants. Is being carried out by Dr. Robert Kirk In Australia. 
These data, together with Information on other polymorphic loci, will be used to 
determine genetic relationships and distinctions between the various Island 
populations studied. Data on the distribution of hemoglobin J Tongarlkl will be 
Invaluable to the study of genetic drift and migration In the New Hebrides, as 
well as data on other rare alleles among the red cell enzymes or other systems. 
II. Red Cell Enzyme Pleomorphlsms 
Red cell clots were obtained on over three thousand Individuals from all 
the visited Islands In the New Hebrides and the British Solomon Islands 
Protectorate. These samples are being analyzed In the Department of Human 
Genetics, Australian National University, for polymorphisms at twenty different 
red cell enzyme loci. The resulting data will be used In conjunction with other 
genetic Information we have gathered to analyze the degree of genetic Isolation 
In these Island populations. This data will be also used In our studies on 
genetic heterogeneity and gene drift, as well as In genetic distance summaries. 
They are potentially of great value In Indicating or supporting suspected 
migration patterns, and will be used together with other data on pleomorphlsms 
to calculate genetic distance and to search for linkage to various diseases. 
III. Polymorphisms of Serum Protein Factors 
Over three thousand samples are being analyzed In the laboratory of Dr. 
Robert Kirk, Department of Human Genetics, Australian National University, 
Canberra, for serum protein factors known to be polymorphic. These factors 
Include transferrin, haptoglobin, albumin, group-specific protein (Gc), (Sn and 
Inv allotypes of human Immunoglobulin G (IgG). Part of each serum specimen will 
be maintained frozen at -70®C for possible future analysis of yet to be 
